When you or someone you care about age, you can consider transitioning from home to a retirement community or aged care facility. This will allow you to start your golden years with the right support from a different environment.
Although often lumped and confused into the same category, aged care and retirement living are two different aged care solutions you can choose for yourself or for someone you care about. Each aged care centre offers support for varying levels of care that suit different people, so it can be confusing for you to pick the right one. With the misconceptions surrounding both options, it’s imperative to be well informed to make the right decision.
So, how different are retirement villages and aged care facilities? The following article focuses on the key differences between aged care and retirement villages so you can decide your preferred option. Read on to learn more.
Residential Aged Care
Residential aged care facilities, sometimes called “aged care homes” or “nursing homes,” are purpose-built communities ideal for senior Australians that need a high level of care outside their homes.
Aside from a greater level of day-to-day elderly care services, extra assistance and supervision in a residential aged care home are available. You can also access nursing and general health care services in a residential aged care facility. Most care centres offer general care, dementia care, palliative care and respite care services, depending on your individual needs.
In addition, aged care homes have twenty-four-hour availability of support care, cleaning, laundry, catered meals, and gardening services. They also have lifestyle and leisure staff who can organise social engagement and recreational activities for you.
In short, an aged care facility can meet your needs when you or your loved one cannot live independently at home and require 24/7 care and support.
Benefits of residential aged care facilities
- Care that is professional and personal in a purpose-built environment
- Personalised care plans reviewed regularly to ensure that the care and support you receive are tailored to your needs
- Strengthened social connection that allows you to interact with new people and make new friends
- Freedom to choose the care suite and facilities that match your needs
- Access to respite care
- Wide availability of additional services (newspaper delivery, meals with wine or beer, on-site hairdresser, etc.)
Cost
How much you’ll pay for an aged care facility transition depends on your choice of provider, the services you receive, your financial situation, and the type of help outlined in your plan. We recommend seeking financial advice before deciding how you can pay for your aged care.
Retirement Living
Retirement living, on the other hand, is primarily a self-care option. This provides an independent lifestyle for eligible senior Australians who do not need additional living assistance. This means that you can choose retirement living if you’re healthy and can maintain an active, social lifestyle.
Retirement villages or retirement homes allow you to make new friends with shared interests and those who enjoy a carefree, independent, and social life. They come with a year-round calendar of events and shared spaces for social engagements.
Retirement or senior living communities also come in various models with different fees and services depending on what type will fit your preferences.
Benefits of moving into retirement villages
Moving into a retirement community will allow you to build strong relationships that enable you to live longer. Research also reveals that social connection will give you a better chance to resist and fight diseases.
Retirement villages provide a convenient life with broad access to various health and wellness initiatives. You will likely be able to participate in multiple clubs, activities, social gatherings and other events—always on your terms.
On top of that, you will have a low-maintenance lifestyle while living in a safe and secure environment.
This solution will let you enjoy an active lifestyle, especially when you are free from work, don’t have children, and want to explore and travel to new places. In short, retirement living facilities offer care recipients an ideal combination of independence and support.
Cost
It can be expensive to move into a retirement village; however, you can pay for your accommodation with the money you make from selling your home. There are several retirement villages from place to place. Therefore, take time to shop around and go for an affordable retirement living centre that is just right for your preferences on the amenities, activities, and facilities at the village.
Before transitioning into a retirement village, you first need to consider your preferred home design, how active or social you’d like to be, what facilities you’d like to enjoy and your desired geographical location (urban, regional, or coastal).
Do you have to be retired to live in a retirement village?
You don’t have to be retired to move into a retirement village. This centre is suitable for an individual aged 55 or over, whether retired or still working part-time, who wants to live in a safe neighbourhood, remain independent, and get involved in their community.
Takeaway
There are different advantages to aged care and retirement living centres, so you should look for the right community. While there is support from staff in a retirement village, this will be limited compared with residential aged care, where you can receive care and support on-site 24/7.
Your choice will also depend on your situation, mobility, and financial situation. A retirement village is suitable if you don’t require significant medical assistance or attention. On the other hand, an assisted living in a residential aged care facility may be the best option if you need more supervision and care for your daily needs. You can also talk to a provider if you prefer opting for retirement villages with aged care facilities.
Find the Right Aged Care Home or Retirement Village
With Aged Care Made Easy, you don’t have to struggle to find the right aged care provider near you. You can simplify your search by using our portal to browse providers for aged care and retirement living services by location. Alternatively, if you have a specific provider in mind, you can search for them by name.
Head to the Aged Care Made Easy Online Directory now!